Arc-lamp.



J.HARDN.

ARC LAMP.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 4, 1905.

1,088,276. Patented Feb. 24, 19M

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

, Johannesk/rdm J.HARDEN.

ARC LAMP.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 4, 1905. 1 088 276. Patented Feb. 24, 191 1 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

M/I/EA/Tflff bhhannesh@faq UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

J'OHANNES HKBDEN, OF SCHENECTADY, NEW 'YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORIPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ARC-LAMP.

Specification of Letters-Patent.

Patented Feb. 24, 1914.

To all whom it may concern Sweden, residing at Schenectady, countyof Schenectady, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improve ments in Arc-Lamps, of which the following/Iis a specificatiom I y present invention comprises improvements in arc lamps and especially in the feeding mechanism and circuit arrangements of arc lamps.

The various features of novelty which characterize my invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of my invention, however, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which I have illustrated and described one of the forms in which my invention may be embodied.

Of the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation with parts broken away and in section of an arc lamp; Fig. 2 is an elevation with parts broken away and in section of the lamp shown in Fig. 1 taken from a different point of View; Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation illustrating a detail of construction; Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating the circuit arrangements and the operation of the lamp, and Figs. 5 and 6 are details of the lamp.

In the drawings, 1 represents the centrally located draft tube or chimney which forms the back-bone of the arc lamp structure. In the particular construction shown in the drawings the chimney member comprises an upper section 2 and a lower section 3. The sections 2 and 3, which telescope together and are connected by screws 4, may advantageously be made of non-magnetic material. To the upper end of the section 2 a top member 5 is secured by rivets 6. A hood. 7 secured between a shoulder or collar portion 8 formed on the top member 5 and the upper end of the section 2 serves to prevent the entrance of dust or moisture into the draft tube through the openings 9 formed in the upper end of the section 2.

A main lamp top hood 10, bell-shaped in form and provided with a centrally located aperture through which the section 2 passes, is secured to the latter by screws 11. The lower end of the section :3 is out-turned to support a disk-shaped platform 12 which is centrally apertured to receive the body of the section 3.

An arc-striking magnet coil 13 is secured between the hood 10 and the platform 12 by means of a collar 14.- surrounding the section 3 which is provided with a projection 15 to the underside of which the upper end of the coil is secured. The coil, which is of the solenoid type, has its axis parallel to the axis of the chimney and is provided with an armature 16. The armature 16 comprises a tubular core 17 formed of magnetic mate rial which passes axially into the bore of the coil 13 and carries at its lower end a disk 17 of magnetic material. The disk 17 is formed with a notch, the walls of which ongage with a guide rib 18 formed on the chimney section 3 to prevent rotation of the disk 17. When the lamp is to be used in an alternating current system, the armature preferably has a slot 19. formed in it to reduce eddy currents, as shown, or it may be laminated.

A pair of similar links 20 are pivotally secured beneath the disk 17 to brackets 20 carried by the disk. The lower ends of the arms 20 are pivotally secured to the outer ends of pawls 21. The inner ends of the pawls 21 are pivotally connected to a yoke member 22 which surrounds a rod or bar 23. The yoke 22 and pawls 21 form the arc striking clutch of the lamp. The rod or bar 23 which passes through the platform 12 slides in a tubular guide 24 which passes through the platform 12 to which it is secured in any suitable manner. \Vhen the coil 13 is deenergized and the armature 16 is in its lower position shown in Fig.1, the gripping portions 25 of the pawls 21 are separated by reason of the member 22 coming to rest upon the stop 22 arranged upon the platform and the rod 23 is free to move through the yoke 22. When the coil 13 is energized, however, and the armature 16 is consequently raised, the bar 23 is clamped between the gripping portions 25 of the pawls 21 and after a slight initial upward movement of the armature 16 the bar 23 moves upward with the armature.

To the lower end of the bar or rod 23 is secured one end of a horizontal cross-head 2G. The other end of the cross-head 26 is secured to the lower end of a bar or rod 27. The bar or rod 27 which passes upward through the platform 12 is guided by a from the member 31 is secured to the upper end of a rod 32 which extends downward through the platform 12 andslides in a guide member 33 secured to the platform. Above the member 31 the member 27 is surrounded by the yoke of the arc length limiting clutch 34. The pawl 35 of the clutch member has secured to its outer end the lower end of a helical tension spring 36. The upper end of the sprin 36 is secured to the chimney member 1 a ove thelower end of the hood 10 in a manner not shown in the drawings. The spring 36 normally holds the outer end of the pawl 35 elevated, in which position the member 27 ,is locked between'the yoke member of the clutch 34 and the pawl 35; 1

The downward movement of the pawl 35 and thereby the normal downward move-.

ment of the member 27 is limited by the engagement of the pawl 35'with a suitable stop which in the construction shown is in the form of a pin 37 passing through one of a number of holes 38 formed in a yoke or bracket 39 carried'by the platform 12. The upward'movement of the pawl 35 is limited by its engagement with a pin 40 inserted in one of a number of holes 41 formed in the member 39. The limit of movement of the pawl 35 may be varied by inserting the pins 37 and 40 in different ones of the sets of holes 38 and 41, respectively. A post or extension 42 carried by the chimney mem-- ber 1 is apertured to receive the member 27 and forms a guide for its upper end. A collar 43 secured to the upper end of the member 27 prevents the latter from moving downward through the extension 42.

A solenoid voltage coil 45 having its axis parallel to the axis of the chimney member 3 is secured to the latter by screws 46 which pass through extensions of the end pieces 47 of the coil. The armature coiiperating with the voltage coil 45 comprises a tubular core member 50 which enters the lower end of the coil 45 and a disk member 51 secured to its lower end. The core 50 and disk 51 may be slotted at 52 when the lamp is to be used in an alternating currcnt'circuit. One member of a dashpot 53 is secured to the lower end of the armature 49. The

other member of the dashpot is secured to the platform 12.

A tubular member 54 of magnetic material is rigidly secured in the upper end of the coil 45. A plug of insulating material 55 is secured in the upper end of the core 50. The lower end of a rod 56 is centrally secured in the block of insulating material 55. A block of insulating material 57 is secured in the upper end of the member 54. The insulating material 57 is formed with a centrally located aperture through which the rod 56 has a sliding movement. The upper end of the rod 56 has secured to it a contact member 58 which, in the form shown, is bullet-shaped and may be made of any suitable material such as carbon. In the construction shown the member 58 is threaded uponthe upper end of the rod 56,

and may be adjusted alongits length. A

pair of locking nuts 59, which may be adjusted along the length of the rod 56, form an abutment against which the upper end of the helical spring 59 surrounding the rod 56 engages. The lower end of the spring rests against the block of insulating material 57. The spring 59' determines the voltage at which the coil 45 becomes operatively energized. By adjusting the nuts 59 along the rod 56 it is possible to cause the energization of the coil to take place at any desired voltage.

A plate or contact support 60 is secured to an extension from the upper end piece 47 of the coil 45. Screws 61 secure a pair of spring metallic contact members (32 to the support 60 in coiiperative relation with the contact member 58. When the coil 45 is deenergized and armature 49 is in its lower position the contact 58 is out of engagement with the spring contacts 62 as shown. In this position'of the parts the adjacent ends of the core 50 and member 54 are separated by some space. When the coil 45 energized, however, and the movable core 50 is raised the contact 58 is forced firmly into engagement with the spring contacts 62. In order to prevent a too violent contact between the adjacent ends of the members 50 and 54 when the coil is energized a washer 63 of yielding material such as asbestos is placed about the rod 56. Thus the fixed tubular member 54 of magnetic material serves, in addition to its function of facilitating the magnetic flux through the axis of the solenoid 45, also as a limiting stop for the movable core 50.

A bell-shaped member 64 with an aperture at its upper end, preferably formed of some good heat conducting and radiating material such as sheet copper, is secured tothe underside of the platform 12 by screws 65 passing through a radial'fiange portion 66 extending from the upper end of the member 64. As shown, the opening at the I upper end of the member 64 registers with the opening in the lower end of the chimney section member 3. The member 64 forms in effect a section of the chimney member 1. i

. An electrode receiving tube 67 axially located in the chimney member 1 and extending from a point near the upper end of the chimney'to a point below the lower end of the section 3, is supported in a collar or socket member 68 provided with extensions 69, the ends of which are bent to lie against the inner surfaceof the member 64 to which they are secured by screws 70. Brackets ex-- tending from diametrically opposed points at the upper end of the collar 68 have pivotally secured in them links 71. To the lower ends of the links 71 are pivoted the outer ends of pawls 72. The lower ends of the pawls 72 are ivotallysecured to a yoke or collar member 3, the upper end of which surrounds the lower end of the collar 68 on which it slides. The pawls 72 are pro vided with ipping portions 74 which are normally he d in engagement with the upper electrode 75 of the lamp which is located in the tube 67 by the weight of the collar 73 and parts connected to it.

A tubular extension 76 of the collar member 73 is secured to the lower end of the A lamp casing 78 of the usual form extends between platform 12 and the hood 10 to which it 1s secured by screws 79. Suitable means such as screws 80 are employed for securing to the'lower end of the casing anarc inclosing globe 81. 'The globe 81, the upper end of which preferably fits snugly against the underside of the platform 12, has provided at its lowerend an aperture 82 through which may enter the air necessary to obtain the proper draft through the lamp. V

The circuit arrangements of the lamp are illustrated in the diagram shown in Fig. 4, where 90 and 91 represent the terminals of the lamp. A conductor 92 connects the terminal 90 to the cross-head 26 and the lower electrode 29.v A conductor 93 leads from the terminal 91 to the upper electrode 75 of the lamp. It will of course be understood that in the actual lamp suitably insulated flexible conductors are ordinarily employed 'to make the proper connections to the electrodes. A conductor 94 leads from the terminal v90 to one of the contacts 62. A conductor 95 connects the other contact 62 to one terminal of the are striking coil 13. The other terminal of the are striking coil 13 is connected to the conductor 93 by a conductor 96. One of the terminals of the voltage coil 45 is connected to the conductor 96 at the point 97. The other terminal of the voltage coil 45 is connected-to the cons ductor 94 at the point 98.

The drawings represent the lamp in the out-of-service condition'and also in the operative condition since theposition of the parts are practically the same in both cases. In the out-of-service position the coils 45 and 13 are both deenergized and the circuit of the coil 13 is open between the contacts 62. The lower electrode is held in the position shown by the clutch 34 through the engagement of the pawl 35 with the pin 37. The upper electrode is locked in the tube 67 with its lower end adjacent the lower end of the extension 76.

As soon as the lamp is connected in an op erative circuit the passage of current through the conductor 94, winding 45, conductor 97, and conductor 93, operatively energizes the coil 45, whereupon its armature is raised and the contact 58 is moved into engagement with the contacts 62 electrically connecting them together. Current, will then flow through the circuit including conductors 94 and 95, coil 13, conductor 96 and conductor 93. This will operatively energizethe coil 13 whereupon the armature 1.6 will be raised.v The raising of the armature through the pawls 21, yoke 22, member 23, etc, will cause an upward movement of the electrode 29. The upper end of the electrode 29, which is considerably larger in diameter than the electrode 75 will either engage the lower end of the electrode 75 or, in case the consumption of the latter is such that it no longer projects through the extension 7 6, will engage the lower end of the extension 76.

As soon as the electrode 29 engages either the electrode 75 or the extension 76 current terminals 90 and 91 to such an extent that the coil 45 will no longer be operatively energized, whereupon its armature move downward toward its original position opening the circuit between the contacts 62, and thereby deenergizingjhe coil 13. The upward momentum of-the electrode 29 is however always sufiicient to give a slight upward movement to'the collar 73, whereupon the upper electrode is freed from its engagement with the pawls 72. The parts are so arranged that when thereafter the electrode 29 moves downwardly, the electrode 75 moves through the extension 76 to the position shown in the drawings before it is again locked between the pawls 72.

\Vhen, as is usually the case,the consumpwill tion of the upper electrode has been such that its lower end is some distance above the lower end of the extension 76 at the time at which the lamp feeds, the upper electrode when released from its clutch in the manner hereinbefore described will drop with some force into engagement with the lower electrode. This improves the contact between the electrodes and facilitates the starting of the current flow between the electrodes. Ordinarily I employ 'a follower block of copper located in the tube 67 above the electrode 7 5. The weight of this follower blockincreases the force with which the upper electrode impinges against the lower electrode in the manner just described.

As the electrode 29 moves out of engagement with the electrode 75 an arc is drawn between the electrodes. The downward movement of the electrode 29 and the length of the are struck is limited by the engagement of the pawl with the pin 37. After an arc is struck the feeding mechanism of the lamp will remain inoperative until the increased voltage of the arc, resulting from the consumption of the electrodes or from other causes, becomes great enough to again cause the coil 45 to be 'operatively energized, whereupon the contact 58 will again be moved into position to close the switch in circuit with coil 13 formed by the contacts 2 and member 58, and thefeeding operation will be repeated.

Should current fail to flow between the electrodes on account of undue consumption of the latter or from other causes, the winding 13 is so arranged as to form a shunt about the coil 45 which will take enough of the current flowing between the lamp terminals to prevent injury to the coil 45, while at the same time the voltage drop between the terminals of the coil 13 will be sufficient to maintain the operative energization of the coil 45.

It will readily be seen that with the mechanism shown an arc of constant length is struck after each feeding operation of the lamp. It will be understood that in the feeding operation the member 27 is pulled through the yoke of the clutch 34 after the pawl engages the upper pin 40 an amount equal to the increase in the arc length due to the consumption of the electrodes occurring since the preceding operation. W hen it is desired to lower the cross-head 26 in order to trim the lamp, or for other causes, the clutch 34 'may be rendered inoperative by pushing rod 32 upward.

Theair entering the globe 81 through the aperture 82 when heated passes upward through the chimney 1 and out intothe atmosphere through the aperture 9. The ascending air current steadies the are and carries the are products out of the lamp.

The lamp which I have herein described Losafave and illustrated is intended more particularly for use in an alternating constant current circuit with electrodes giving what is known as a flaming or luminous are, though the lamp is not necessarily limited to such use. The electrodes employed may be of any suitable character. I have obtained excellent results by the use of a lower electrode formed of about ninety parts of titanium carbid and ten parts of carbon, and an upper electrode comprising a shell of carbon. and a filling composed principally of titanium carbid. I make no claims to such electrodes in my present application, however, as they are claimed in my application Serial No. 184,564, filed December 10, 1903.

The mechanism described and illustrated is simple, compact, and comparatively inexpensive to make. It is especially adapted for use in lamps in which the arc current is quite small as compared with the .are currents ordinarily employed in arc lamps.

\Vhile I have hereinbefore described and illustrated the best form of my invention now known to me, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art. that changes may be made in the form of the invention disclosed with out departing from its spirit, and I do not intend the claims hereinafter made to be limited to the particular construction disclosed more than is made necessary by the state of the art.

W'hat I-claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In an arc lamp, a movable electrode, a support therefor comprising a pair of parallel members, an arc length limiting means in cooperative relation with one of said members, and an are striking means in cooperative relation with the other of said members. r

2. In an arc lamp, an electrode, a clutch normally holding said electrode stationary, a second electrode, and means for moving said second electrode to actuate said clutch to release the electrode held by it.

In an arc lamp, a tube, an electrode projecting therefrom, a clutch normally holding the electrode locked in the tube but arranged to release said electrode when raised, a second electrode, and means for moving it toward the other electrode to raise the clutch and release said electrode.

4. In an arc -lamp, an electrode receiving shell, an electrode in said shell, a clutch for locking said electrode in said shell, a second electrode, and means for moving said second electrodeinto engagement with said clutch whereby the first mentioned electrode will be released.

5. In an arc lamp, an electrode, a clutch having an opening into which one end of said electrode extends, said electrode being normally locked in said clutch. a second eler trode movable toward but not through the opening in said clutch, and means for moving said second electrode toward the first mentioned electrode to engage said clutch and move it whereby the first mentioned electrode will be released. Y

i 6. 1In an arc'lamp, an upper electrode, a lower-electrode, a support for the upper electrode comprising a movable member V cated adjacent the upper electrode and a 10 clutch associated therewith arranged to normally engage said upper electrode and to disengage the same when said movable member is raised, and means comprising a shunt electromagnet for raising said lower electrode into engagement with said movable member, whereby the upper electrode is re leased-and ermitted to "gravitate intoengagement w th the lower electrode and the shunt ma et then denergized, thereby per-' mitting t lower electrode to drop away Ix from t e upper to establish the arc.

7. In an arc lamp, a stationary framework, an upper electrode, afclutch therefor comprising a yoke surrounding said electrode and a pawl havin its upper end ivotally connected to sai framework and its lower end pivotally connected to said yoke, a lower electrode in alinement with the upper electrode,and means for moving it into engagement with the first mentioned electrode or said yoke to move the latter,

whereby the first mentioned electrode will be released from its clutch.

8. In an arc lamp, a pair of electrodes,

- and means controlled by the arcing end of one of said electrodes for causing the other electrode to be fed until its arcing end reaches a predetermined position at each feeding operation of the lamp. 40 9. In an arc lamp, an electrode, a clutch normally holding sa1d electrode stationary, a second elect-rode, and means actuated by said second electrode for tri ping said clutch when the arcing end 0 the latter electrode reaches a predetermined point.

10. In an arc lamp, a pair of electrodes, means for movin one of said electrodes and means contro led by the arcin end oi the latter electrode for causing t e other ielectrode to be moved'toward it. y 11. In an arc'lamp, an electrode,'a second electrode, means for moving the said second electrode toward the other, and means con-- trolled by the arcing end of the second electrode for causing the other electrode to be moved toward it when the arcing end of the said second electrode reaches a predetermined point.

12. In, an arc lam a pair of electrodes arran ed to be mova le toward each other,

a hol ing device for one of said electrodes,

and means actuated by the other electrode when its arcing end reaches a predetermined position for releasing said holding device.

13. In an arc lamp, a gravity-actuated electrode, a second electrode, a restraining clutch for said gravity-actuated electrode, and means for actuating said second electrode, said parts being so arranged that the said second electrode trips said clutch when its arcing end reaches a predetermined point.

14. In an arc lamp, an electrode, a holding device for said electrode, a second electrode, means for actuating said second electrode, and a tripping member extending from said holding device into the path of movement of the arcing end of the said second electrode.

15. In an arc lamp, a pair of electrodes arranged 'for movement toward-each other, a restraining device for one of said electrodes, actuating means for the second electrode, and .controlling means for said restraining device extending intothe path of movement of the arcing end of the said second electrode.

16. In an arc lamp, a pair of electrodes arrangedfor movements toward each other, actuating means for oneofsaid electrodes, and a controlling device for the second electrode having a member arranged in the path of movement of the arcing end of the other electrode.

17. In an arc lamp, a gravity-actuated electrode, a second cooperating electrode, a holdin clutch for said gravity-actuated electro e having a member extending into the path of movement of the arcin end of the second electrode, and means or actuating said second electrode.

18. In an arc lamp, a pairof electrodes arranged for movements toward each other, actuating means for one of said electrodes,

and a controlling device for the second of.

said electrodes movable upon a fixed support, said controlling device having a portion extending into the path of movement of the arcing end of the first electrode.

19. In an arc lamp, a gravity-actuated electrode, a second electrode, a holding clutcli for said gravity-actuated electrode mounted on-a fixed support, actuating means for said .second electrode,'and a clutch actuating member normally occupying a predetermined fixed position in the path of movement of the arcing end of the second electrode.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 26th day of April, 1905.

J OHANNES HLKRDEN.

Witnesses j BENJAMIN B. HULL,

HELEN QRFORD. 

